The vendors followed behind as both Yang Ling and Yuan Ba went to the tracks. Even though Yang Ling had not been running for years, the Gearbox V3 was aiding her perfectly and she was relieved, that she had no trouble moving. Her gait analysis was full marks. Balance and fine motor movements were all compensated by the gearbox technology, which was impossible with the current standard of assistive technology for the disabled.
All the vendors could already envision the possibility of helping disabled soldiers back to the field. Furthermore, if the specs were correct, it would also allow soldiers to carry heavy loads of equipment much more comfortable. This would definitely aid scouts or special forces missions when the numbers to operate were small, and the amount of equipment needed was many.
Yang Ling stretched her legs a little and for the first time in many years, she could finally feel the pulling strain of her calf muscles. It was just a pulling sensation, but she was feeling gratitude to Jin, who somehow was able to have the Gearbox modified for her legs.
Jin walked towards them and held a flare gun with him. “To make things more fun- erm challenging, I have used the data of Usane Bolt in this particular robot that will be participating with both of you.” Jin explained as a part of the tracks behind them opened to reveal a robot coming out of the underground. Ke Loong giggled a little as he saw the robot was a generically looking humanoid in structure, but its face was pasted paper printed with Usane Bolt’s picture on it.
“You sure his face will not disappear when he runs? The tape seems flimsy” The vendors commented sarcastically though most vendors enjoyed this little gimmick Jin was showing them. At the edge of the national stadium there was a giant TV, which began to show the statistics table that was still blank, but it was apparent there were sensors and monitors to keep track of the three runners’ speed and timing.
Yuan Ba took his position and so did Yang Ling. As she touched the ground, she remembered the days in school when she was in the Track and Field. “Ah…no wonder Ku Wai continued to call me princess till this day.” Yang Ling recollected the days where she was the undefeated champion and was thereby hailed as the “Track Princess”. No one dared to defy her words due to her authority and most importantly her skills. (Though it could also have been due to Ku Wai’s scary face being in the vicinity)
“1500m sprint run without cultivation. Contestants Ready… Get set….GO!” Jin shot a real flare out from his flare gun and the runners sped off. As it was a 1500m sprint, both Yuan Ba and Yang Ling jumped off from their position and assumed their running stance. It was fast at first, but they both stabilised their speed at around 700-800 metres before dashing off at maximum speed in the last 400 metres. The humanoid robot that pretended to be Usane Bolt assumed at an average speed based on the analysis of his past Olympic sprint timing. It was initially ahead of the two Royal Zodiac Tigers, but the Tigers caught up in no time.
While the vendors were praising the two tigers, Ke Loong was the only one obsessed with the humanoid robot that Jin put up. No one had ever replicated a realistic humanoid robot much less a human in the dungeon instance so accurately before, mainly because of the physics involved in it. Using monsters from imagination was more accessible since the movement could be big, slow and irregular.
However, the humanoid robot that was being shown was not running stiffly but in a regular way just like a human. Even the chest inhalation and exhalation were captured perfectly. Ke Loong practised the Hovering Hawk Cultivation, allowing him to have precise and enhanced vision. That was why he always had the eye for details.
At the last 10m, Yuan Ba exerted his very best, but Yang Ling was clearly just a few centimetres away from him. In the end, the results were real close, only 0.5 seconds difference between Yang Ling and Yuan Ba. Fake Usane Bolt was 0.3 seconds away from Yang Ling because Jin was just using it as a constant factor in an experiment. The speed variation between Yang Ling and Yuan Ba was more or less the same while fake Usane Bolt had a constant average speed.
Even with an enhanced body without having used his cultivation, Yuan Ba could clearly see the benefits of the Gearbox V3, and he had to admit that it was apparently an engineering marvel. However, for Yang Ling, she was panting her lungs out. It was years since she did such a run, despite the fact that she still exercises on a regular basis practising her arms and torso even though she was wheelchair bound. Yang Ling also went for weekly canoeing whenever possible to train her stamina. If not for those training, Yang Ling believed even with Gearbox V3. She could not have nearly beaten her father.
The vendors were amazed by the Gearbox technology, and one of them questioned the price. “With such a technology, how much are you charging per person. Would it be expensive to procure? Price is, after all, a very decisive factor.”
“I am not going to lie. This gearbox prototype is not for sale as it is of a developmental build. The ones you will be receiving would be of a manufactured series where its specs would not be as great as this, but concerning price point, I believe it would be worth the money.” Yang Ling answered with some half truths since she recalled that Jin explicitly stated, that this prototype was for her and her alone. She was pinning on the hope that her customised prototype that Jin created, could woo the vendors into getting a few pieces first. Once they were satisfied with it or after feedback, she would then mass produce for global sales.
“I have personally seen her manufactured product and to be honest, I am more astounded by the specs of the developmental build. If her developmental build could reach this stage, I believe the manufactured product would see revisions before actual mass production. I do recommend getting at least one to try it out yourself.” Yuan Ba had decided to support Yang Ling in her endeavour by chipping in his own opinion which definitely swayed the decisions of the vendors. This move was indeed unexpected by Yang Ling as she thought that her father was here to betray her since he declared it so openly in the morning.
“If you like further demonstrations, do not hesitate to ask. The Dungeon Supplier here will provide the necessary tests. Or else, you could also take a look at Ku Wai’s Gearbox that he was wearing and test it out yourself. While it may be an older version, its manufacturing moulds are ready and can be assembled anytime for shipping and deployment. Prices can be negotiated after this demonstration presentation in private.” Yang Ling said with confidence as she sent a quick glance at Jin.
“If that’s the case, I will be making my move first.” Yuan Ba replied as he could see the looks of the vendors. They would definitely want to see more of this product, even if most should have decided to invest into it already. “Good Luck, Yang Ling.” Yuan Ba sent a close range voice transmission as he walked passed her when she was engaging in some small talk with the vendors.
Yang Ling struggled in her heart whether she should just thank him. “Argh. Just do it!” Yang Ling thought to herself as Yuan Ba was here after all, opening his heart after seeing her walk and aiding her recently.
“Papa!” She turned her head around to call out to him which made Yuan Ba turn his head instinctively. How long had it been since she called out to him so informally?
*BANG!*
Blood was ejected out from the side of his throat, and Yang Ling could see an opening from his neck. Yuan Ba was caught off guard since he was emotionally vulnerable and had his cultivation sealed for the race with Yang Ling
“PAPA!!!” Yang Ling raced herself towards her father as someone was laughing hysterically. Meanwhile, the sound of shot originated from the group military vendors and all of them immediately took into a defensive stance and faced towards the person who fired the shot.
“DEATH TO THE ZODIACS!” One of the military aides shouted as he revealed his cultivation with a somewhat intense black aura. The vendors, who were of decent cultivation grades did not hesitate to fight against him, but suddenly black chains were wrapped around them as a ritual circle materialised right in under them.
Jin was shocked by the sudden assassin attack but sufficient enough experience allowed him to move decisively. He summoned his Katana from his storage watch and shouted out loud to the System in the dungeon instance without any care. “Bring MILK IN NOW!”
